Albuquerque Balloon Festival

There’s good reason why it’s called “The Greatest Show Off Earth”. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta also known as Albuquerque Balloon Festival is, after all, the largest hot air balloon festival in the entire world. And if the notion of 750+ hot air balloons, rising in mass ascent in the New Mexican sky, doesn’t interest you, then check out these other reasons why the Alberquerque Balloon Fiesta is a must-see and a American Bus Association Top 100 Event:

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta attracts unusually shaped hot air balloons. Forget normal, round-shaped balloons. If you come to the festival you might spot a hot air balloon shaped like a cow, a bumblebee, a turtle, a soda pop can, a stagecoach, or a piggy-bank.

At night, there are special balloon displays, such as the Glowdeo, the Balloon Glow, and the Night Magic Glow. Dozens of stationary balloons are illuminated by their propane burners, turning the festival grounds into a glowing wonderland of color.

Feeling competitive? There’s plenty of balloon competitions, so you can root for your favorites. During the Fiesta Challenge balloonists do their best to drop a marker from a balloon and hit a target. The America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race competition is a long-distance race that has taken competitors all the way to Canada and the East Coast. Plus there’s plenty of other piloting and skill competitions that you won’t want to miss!

For those that would rather not stay on the sidelines, there’s balloon rides. Reservations can be made with Rainbow Ryders so that you can experience firsthand the excitement and thrill of soaring in a hot air balloon!

This year’s Albuquerque Balloon Festival runs from October 1st to the 9th. So grab your family, friends, or coworkers and plan your trip to New Mexico! Get the best rate on New Mexico Bus Rentals by booking your Charter Bus Rental through The BusBank. An experienced account executive can help you plan your trip according to your group’s specific travel needs.

Check out more information about the Albuquerque Balloon Festival on their official Facebook page